Wednesday, September 03, 2008

Well, I was happy enough with the variety of responses I got from my search for a #1 center for the all-time Anaheim Sometimes-Mighty Ducks of Anaheim that I think I'll continue this "ask the audience" theme before publishing my own roster (note: feel free to continue voting on centermen). Today's theme: third-pairing defensemen.

I won't spend much time justifying my picks for the top-four blueliners just yet (that will come with the unveiling), but just know that Scott Niedermayer, Chris Pronger, Fredrik Olausson, and Oleg Tverdovsky have all been pre-qualified, leaving just two slots to fill. I've narrowed the field down to eleven candidates, whom I'll list chronologically, but if you feel I've slighted anyone feel free to write in your own answer (c'mon, Trnka and Huskins fans). Which two players deserve a spot on Anaheim All-Time Team's blueline? Here we go!

I'll have to admit; I was a fledgling fan back in Bobby Dollas' heyday, and my memory is sort of shoddy to the point where I only remember a blend of Dollas and Karpa. But hey, actual remembering isn't a requirement for the All-Time team, and Dollas was an original mainstay. I was shocked at his +31 career plus-minus for Anaheim, which is best on this list, as the old-school Mighty Duck teams weren't much to brag about.

See above. I believe Karpa played hockey in much more a tripod-fashion than did Dollas, but I can't even say that with 100% certainty. Still, you should give some credit to the old-school guard; they didn't have nearly the quality of linemates as recent Ducks players have enjoyed. If anyone wants to do justice to the memories of Dollas and Karpa, feel free.

Mironov was a short-term Duck, but he was productive (his .641 points-per-game is tops on this list). Not only a quality regular-season performer, but Dmitri also posted a point-per-game in Anaheim's first playoffs in 1997 (1-10-11 in 11 games). Strangely, I was never that enamored with Mironov's game -- he never seemed that dominant and I definitely don't recall being upset when he left the team. Again, though, this was the early days of Sleek the hockey fan.

Ah, now we're getting more into my memory's wheelhouse. "Salei of Game" or "Cirque du Salei" was a mainstay for a decade on the Anaheim blueline, and his 594 regular season games is tops of all Anaheim defensemen. He was tough, dirty, and at times had above-average hockey sense, though there was always the sense he had the tools to be even better. Still, when the Ducks were down 3 games to 2 to Calgary in the 1st round of the 2006 playoffs, I thought that Salei more than anyone really elevated his play to help the team advance. Plus he's from Belarus.

Ah, Havelid, the Swedish component of the 2003 miracle blueline. Havelid has pretty strong counting numbers (85 ANA points is third-best on this list), but man that minus-42 rating really stands out, doesn't it? At least the guy got an even rating in the 2003 playoff run. I'm not sure that Havelid ultimately belongs on this list, but in case there are any Swedish die-hards he's in the running.

Vish-dog in da house! I'm way too enamored with Vishnevski to give an unbiased description here, but despite his inability to score (by far the worst scoring rate on the list), Vish-dog is still second-all-time in games played by an Anaheim defenseman. His real skill isn't so much about scoring anyway, but more about creating opportunities to murder people on the ice. Sure his out-of-position wandering backfires, and sure he departed under suspect circumstances (traded right after arbitration), but he is by definition a third-pairing kind of guy, and unlike anyone else on this list, I do own a Vishnevski jersey.

Damn, "Carney Asada" was an awesome defenseman for the Ducks -- a steady Eddie who was as vital to the 2003 cup run as anybody not named Giguere. He came to the team as a veteran, and seemingly was always one bad turn away from never standing up again, but he was a tough battler and a smart blueliner. Carney's offensive talents were average at best, but I'll never forget the pass he made to Rucchin to cement the 2003 Wings sweep -- the only time ever I've seen Carney behind an opponent's net.

Ozos is another short-timer, but probably represents Anaheim's best ever mid-season pickup on the blueline. While Sandis is well-known for his offensive skills and defensive shortcomings, I actually found him to be respectable on both ends of the rink, at least during his 2003 season. Consider: he was a team-best plus-8 in the 2003 playoffs, and was on the ice for all four of Anaheim's game-winning goals in the 2003 series against Dallas (all of which came after the 58-minute mark of the game). That's pretty damn clutch, and Ozos was pretty special to watch. Counting against Ozos? Everything after the 2003 cup finals.

I'm not sure how well to rate Beauchemin in this exercise, as Frenchie has yet to show much in the category of "playing without Scott Niedermayer". Still, the guy was a gem in 2006 and has been a steady enough player the last two seasons, and his early playoff heroics (punching out Iginla in Calgary and shouldering Brunette in G1 of the COL series) are legendary. I don't know where Ducks fans sit on Frenchie -- I've met fans who absolutely love him and fans who can't stand him (honestly, I don't really understand either side). Still, his 66 Anaheim assists ranks second on this list.

Another sheer wall of steadiness who also has spent some time piggybacking on a former Norris trophy winner, O'Donnell has been a great shut-down minute-eater for the Ducks, especially once paired with Pronger in 2006. O'Donnell is second-worst to Vishnevski in terms of offense, but that's not his game. In fact, I've never seen a defenseman throw so many pucks intentionally wide of the net to avoid opposing shot-blockers. But that's O'Donnell: safe and solid, and that is a huge contribution when facing the opponents' best. I'm not considering salary on this all-time team, but I was super-impressed when UFA O'Donnell, right after winning the Stanley Cup, re-signed with the Ducks for a discount. That's a team player, right there.

Look, just because we're in the process of kicking Schneider's salary off the team, that doesn't mean the guy isn't eligible for all-time consideration. I mean, he did have a quality season playing easy minutes, and even picked up a few Norris votes. In terms of skillset, Schneider might be the best on this list, especially if we're talking about shooting. However, he most likely won't have been on the Ducks for very long, and he did have a rather invisible playoff series against Dallas (his only point of the series was a meaningless goal in the last 8 seconds of G4), but will that cost him a spot on the all-time squad?

I don't think I've done this list as much justice as I did with the centermen, but this is just Anaheim All-Time Decision #2 (I've still got two more coming). As before, feel free to leave your thoughts in the comments: which two defensemen deserve the all-time third pairing? If you want, you can also share who was a close runner-up. You don't even have to be a Ducks fan to chime in -- all are welcome.

16 comments:

Schneider is the most talented of the group, but he was never really (nor should he have ever been) a Duck. He's too professional to say such, but I know I'll try to forget this past year.

As far as Duck greats, I've always been a sucker for Keith Carney. I spent my entire sophomore year of college running back to my room from class to see if "today was the day" the Keith Carney episode of A Wedding Story would air on TLC. Even after a year suffering through a year of that steaming pile of sappy crap called a TV show before finally seeing his episode (which was itself a steaming pile of sappy crap), I still think the guy is awesome!

I'm not really a Ducks fan, but I'll vote for Carney, cause he's always gotten my attention every time I see a Wings game. Solid stay at home defensive defensemen always get love from me. After that, I pick Salei mostly for the same reasons, and of those listed, he's been the best as a for any significant period of time.

First just wanted to say I agree with the Tverdovsky choice but think Olausson should give room to Carney, and I'll explain that later on the comment.This choice is definitely harder than the last one.Karpa still owns the Anaheim's PIM record, you have to respect that. Dollas was your typical old school warrior. Mironov, Havelid and Schneider are guys that did their job but didn't leave an everlasting impression (yes I'm assuming Schneider is as good as gone).Beauchemin and Ozolinsh are guys that I like but both don't deserve to be choosen, Ozolinsh because his awesomeness didn't last long and Beauchemin because aside from the '06 display I still have doubts of him without Niedermayer.now this is starting to get hard...O'Donnell rules and when a guy takes a paycut to stick with a team, you have to respect and pay homage. Plus he's a reliable stay at home Dman in a age where those have become endangered species. The only reason I'm not giving him my vote is because the guys I'll write about next deserve it more.Vishnevski IS DA BOMB. his hits and checks were the most amusing parts of the games while he played with the Ducks. I think he's one of those guys that will never feature in a "top list" for statistics achievements that people love to talk about to exhaustion but he's the kind of guy that fans that saw playing will remember for the rest of their lives (maybe not that long; damn you Alzheimer's disease!).Salei was a long term guy and somewhat consistent. Plus I think he's the player that spent most time with the Ducks. You always have to have room on the alltime team for those guys.Finally, Captain Carney. Worked hard every night and like Rucchin was a true leader. I wanted to write more about him but I'm getting tired now... Something that Carney would never do (give up because he was tired)!So... I know I'm supposed to pick 2 but I can't make my mind between those 3... So that's why I'ld dump Olausson. I think he was a great defenseman and did will with the Ducks team ('03 run woohoo!) but I would rather see these other 3.sorry for the long comment.

Oh, it was hilarious. Within months of me getting the jersey, (a) Vish got traded, (b) the team changed logos, and (c) the league stopped wearing white at home. It was the fastest out-of-date jersey in the history of purchases.

no love for jj daigneault?

You know what? He probably deserved the list, but I meant to stop at ten candidates (but then added Schneider).

But Daigneault is definitely votable.

but I would rather see these other 3.sorry for the long comment.

No worries, and I see where you're coming from. It's tough leaving guys off this squad.

Still, I don't think I can be talked out of Freddie O. He was such a smart player, and that one year the Ducks led the league in PP percentage, Freddie O's backdoor play was money. He was a real favorite, and one of the guys I was most upset to see leave the Ducks.

Number six gets harder. I mean, Vishnevski was awesome and a player I always enjoyed to watch, but I'm not sure if this level of play thingy of his cuts it. And there's a whole bunch of others who are sort of deserving. I'd have to go with Carney if I really thought about it rationally, mostly because he was really good, but as I see that he's probably going to be in anyways and all, I'll vote Vish just for the heck of it.

Salei - because he almost killed Chompers. Always a + for me. His love for the penalty box is a downside, but come on, his framed pictures is on the wall at the StateCollege/Ball rd Benihana. That makes him a lock.

Carney - because without mini-Babcock on the ice, 2003 doesn't happen.

Unfortunately, that leaves out my fav along with Earl's. Vish. But if Carney and Salei are available, Vish sits behind them on the depth chart.

I vote Bobby Dollas. The guy just loves hockey. He played and coached in the LNAH (which is basically a Quebecois fight club), which is a pro league-ish. I think he played in the league for five years until 2006. Five years of fight club after playing in the NHL for so long is certainly a love of hockey thing.

In addition to playing for the Ducks, Dollas played for another great California team, the Long Beach Ice Dogs. Dollas also played for teh Sharks but he quickly realised they were terrible after only sixteen games.

Bobby Dollas may not have been a part of the run in 2007, but he did enjoy his time playing in such 2007 cities as Ottawa and Detroit.

This would be like having an all-time Shark team and snubbing Arturs Irbe. An all-time Kings team and snubbing Brian Willsie. It can in no circumstance ever be done. These are players emblamatic of an era for a franchise.